Travancore Nature History Society (2026)

27/03/2026

🦋 New Butterfly Species Discovered from Arunachal Pradesh!

A remarkable new butterfly species, Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi, has been discovered from the semi-evergreen forests of Basar in Arunachal Pradesh, adding to India’s expanding inventory of biodiversity. The species was described by Roshan Upadhaya of Arunachal Wildlife Explorative and Kalesh Sadasivan, Research Associate at the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), Thiruvananthapuram, with the findings published in the journal Entomon.

Belonging to the genus Euthalia (“dukes”), the species is placed within the Limbusa subgenus and the Patala group based on diagnostic wing patterns and male ge***al morphology. It is distinguished by a deep olive-brown upperside with prominent white discal markings and a pale turquoise-green underside, an adaptation suited to shaded forest environments. The butterfly inhabits humid understory habitats between 600–750 m elevation, where individuals were observed mud-puddling near streams, feeding on tree sap, and perching on low vegetation along forest trails.

Despite extensive surveys, the species is currently known from only two individuals, indicating either true rarity or highly cryptic behaviour. The species is named in honour of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, and the proposed common name is “Basar Duke.” This discovery underscores the immense, still-unexplored biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas and the continued importance of field-based taxonomy.
Over the past 25 years, I have contributed to the documentation of biodiversity in the Western Ghats and beyond through my work as a taxonomist. This discovery forms part of a broader body of research, comprising 30 taxa (genera, species, and subspecies) described or co-described in collaboration with colleagues across India. Among butterflies, notable taxa include Zographetus mathewi Sadasivan & Kochunarayanan, 2025 (Hesperiidae), Cigaritis meghamalaiensis Sadasivan & Naicker, 2023 (Lycaenidae), Caltoris bromus sadasiva Sadasivan & Kunte, 2023 (Hesperiidae, subspecies), and Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan, Kochunarayanan, Khot & Naicker, 2021 (Lycaenidae, subspecies). The present species, Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi Sadasivan & Upadhaya, 2026, represents the fifth butterfly taxon I have described as a taxonomist.
This milestone reinforces the need for continued exploration, documentation, and conservation of India’s fragile ecosystems, where many species remain undiscovered.

15/11/2025

🕷️ SPIDERCON 2025 – A Comprehensive 4-Day Hands-On Spider Workshop!

📅 04 – 07 December 2025
📍 Trivandrum

Are you fascinated by spiders? Interested in learning how to identify, study, and document them in the field and laboratory?

Join us for SPIDERCON 2025, a 4-day immersive workshop designed for students, researchers, nature enthusiasts, and professionals who wish to explore the incredible world of spiders.

💡 What to Expect:

• Field work with expert arachnologists

• Introduction to spider taxonomy & diversity

• Spider identification techniques

• Collection & documentation methods

• Lab-based specimen preparation & examination

• Photography, field ethics, and more!

A perfect platform to learn directly from specialists, enhance your skills, and experience the hidden diversity of spiders in the Western Ghats.

🔗 Scan the QR code in the poster to register or click on the link below.

https://forms.gle/Q2S2N6NsLPfhCn4y9

📞 Contact for Details:

Mahesh: 8304004816
Pradeep: 9562659889

📧 Email: [email protected]

Organised by Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), Institute of Tropical Research, Ecology and Conservation (INTREC), and Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department.

15/10/2025

We’re delighted to share that Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan (TNHS) will be delivering a talk titled “The Lesser Fauna of Our Cloud Forests” at the National Seminar on “The Future of Sky Islands”, Christian College, Chengannur, on 17 October 2025 (1.30–3.00 PM).

13/10/2025

Aralam Dragonfly Meet 2025 Strengthens Citizen Science with Seven New Odonate Records
Aralam, October 12, 2025: The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Dragonfly Meet 2025, held from October 10–12, brought together 60 participants — including students, researchers, and nature enthusiasts — to celebrate Kerala’s rich dragonfly and damselfly diversity and to commemorate the legacy of late odonate researcher C. G. Kiran. The event was jointly organized by the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department, Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), Calicut, and Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), Thiruvananthapuram, at Aralam and Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Speaking at the inauguration, V. Ratheesan, Wildlife Warden of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, remarked“Aralam has always been a biodiversity hotspot, and this meet shows how collaboration between forest officials, researchers, and students can create new knowledge. Citizen science is now becoming a cornerstone of conservation in Kerala. This event will henceforth be part of our annual survey calendar.”
The three-day meet featured lectures, field surveys, and interactive sessions. The inaugural session included the Dr. Francy Kakassery Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Dr. Abraham Samuel for his contributions to natural history education and odonatology. The sessions that followed included the Kiran Memorial Oration by Dr. M. Jafer Palot (MNHS), History of Citizen Science in Kerala by V. C. Balakrishnan (SEEK), and technical talks by Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan and Vinayan P. Nair, Research Associate, TNHS.
Dr. M. Jafer Palot, Scientist, ZSI, said “This meet is not just a gathering of odonate enthusiasts; it is a reflection of how far Kerala’s citizen science movement has come. Our students today are contributing to real-time biodiversity documentation with scientific rigor and dedication.”
The Odonata BioBlitz formed the core of the event, with 11 survey teams exploring seven zones across Aralam and Kottiyoor — including Chavachi, Parippu-thode, Narikadavu, Kottiyoor, Meenmutty, Suryamudi, and Ambalapara. The survey recorded 58 species during the event, with seven new records for the sanctuary: Melligomphus acinaces, Merogomphus tamaracherriensis, Acrogomphus fraseri, Orthetrum triangulare, Elattoneura tetrica, Euphaea waynadensis, and Macromia cingulata. This brings the total odonate diversity of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary to 103 species, highlighting its position as one of Kerala’s richest odonate habitats.
According to Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan, convenor of the meet “The addition of new species records from a well-studied sanctuary like Aralam highlights the importance of sustained, long-term surveys. This event showcases the scientific potential of citizen-driven biodiversity documentation and the power of collaboration.”
The meet also featured interactive competitions that combined learning and enthusiasm. The Dr. M. S. Mayilvahanan Memorial Award for Best Odonata Photographer was conferred upon Sayyid Farhan (NSS College, Ottapalam), who won first place. Amirthavarshini O. (Lady Doak College, Madurai) and Noorul Ameen K. (Government Victoria College, Palakkad) secured the second and third places respectively.
In the Odonata Quiz Competition, NSS College, Ottapalam emerged as champions, followed by Lady Doak College, Madurai, and Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad. A special recognition, the “Man of the Meet” Award, was presented to Master Muhammed Ameen for his exceptional field enthusiasm and contributions. The closing ceremony featured the symbolic handover of the “Dragonfly Book” to the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Library, presented by Dr. M. Jafer Palot.
In her concluding remarks, Mrs. Remya Raghavan, Assistant Wildlife Warden, said “The Aralam Dragonfly Meet 2025 stands as a model for how forest departments, natural history societies, and young researchers can collaborate for biodiversity documentation. The future of odonate research in Kerala lies in the synergy of science, passion, and participation.”
The event concluded with a renewed commitment to expanding citizen science-based biodiversity surveys across Kerala’s protected areas, reinforcing Aralam’s role as a living classroom for conservation and research.
******
Photos
1. Dr. Francy Kakassery Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award for Dr. Abraham Samuel
2. Melligomphus acinaces By Aswin G
3. Merogomphus tamaracherriensis By Vinayan P Nair
4. Acrogomphus fraseri By Jebin Jose
5. Orthetrum triangulare By Jebin Jose
6. Elattoneura tetrica By Vinayan P Nair
7. Euphaea waynadensis By Ajayakumar MN
8. Euphaea waynadensis Mating By Abhinav Jeevan K
9. Macromia cingulata Ravi Parakkal
*****

06/10/2025

🎓 MAN-U-SCRIPT 2025 | Workshop on Scientific Paper Writing 🖋️
📅 24–26 October 2025
📍 Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, Kerala
Are you a researcher, scholar, or student aspiring to publish in reputed journals?
Join us for MAN-U-SCRIPT 2025 – Manage Your Manuscript, a hands-on workshop designed to help you master the art and science of scientific writing and publishing.

💡 Learn from Distinguished Experts:
Dr. C.T. Aravindakumar • Dr. A. Biju Kumar • Dr. K.D. Prathapan • Dr. Felix Bast •
Dr. Jijo Ulahannan • Dr. Josin C. Tharian • Dr. Neelesh Dahanukar • Dr. Rajeev Raghavan

🧭 Topics Include:
• Paper structure & writing clarity
• Literature search & data management
• Research design & GIS in research
• Illustration & figures
• Peer review, manuscript rejection & publication ethics
• AI in writing, authorships, cover letters & more!
Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your research communication skills and boost your publication success. ✍️
👉 Scan the QR Code on the poster for registration & details.

02/10/2025

🌿✨ Invitation to Students – C. G. Kiran Commemorative Dragonfly Meet 2025 ✨🌿
The Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), in collaboration with Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department and Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), invites college students to participate in the C. G. Kiran Commemorative Dragonfly Meet – Aralam 2025.

📅 Dates: 10th – 12th October 2025
📍 Venue: Aralam & Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuaries, Kerala
👥 Who can apply? Maximum 2 students per college (Total 30 students will be selected)
🔎 Highlights of the Meet:
✅ C. G. Kiran Memorial Oration
✅ Memorial Awards in Photography & Conservation
✅ Odonata Quiz
✅ Sessions on Dragonfly Taxonomy, Citizen Science & Macrophotography
✅ Field Surveys in pristine forest habitats

✨ This is a golden opportunity for students to learn directly from experts, engage in hands-on field research, and celebrate the life and legacy of C. G. Kiran.

📌 How to Apply: Institutions may nominate up to 2 students. Registration details via QR code on the flyer or contact TNHS directly.

Let’s come together to honor the memory of a passionate naturalist and inspire a new generation of Odonatologists. 💚

Scan QR code for more details.

19/09/2025

Periyar Tiger Reserve Biodiversity Survey Adds 12 Species to Faunal Checklist
Kumaly, September 14, 2025
A four-day biodiversity survey held at Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), Kerala, from September 11–14, 2025, has added 12 new species records to the reserve’s faunal checklist, reaffirming PTR’s standing as one of the most biodiverse landscapes in the Western Ghats. The additions include eight butterflies, two odonates (dragonflies & damselflies), and two subspecies of birds, underscoring the ecological richness and conservation value of the reserve. Located in Kerala’s Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts, Periyar Tiger Reserve spans nearly 925 sq. km, including both core and buffer zones of the Western Ghats. It is one of India’s premier tiger reserves, renowned for its mosaic of tropical evergreen, deciduous, grassland, and montane shola habitats. PTR supports more than 300 bird species, 200 butterflies, 100 odonates, and charismatic megafauna such as the tiger, elephant, and gaur.
The survey was organized jointly by the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala Forest Department, Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation in collaboration with the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), Thiruvananthapuram. It brought together more than a hundred delegates, including leading experts in diverse faunal groups from across South India. The program began with a preliminary meeting at Kumaly, Thekkady, inaugurated by Assistant Field Director Mrs. Lakshmi R, who emphasized the importance of community-scientist partnerships in biodiversity monitoring. Participants were briefed on survey methodology and assigned to 26 strategic basecamps spread across the reserve, each camp forming a composite team with multi-taxa expertise.
A key focus of the survey was the assessment of butterfly diversity. The teams recorded 207 species, with eight new records for PTR. These included the Sahyadri Grass Yellow (Eurema nilgiriensis, വേമ്പട ശലഭം), the Plain Orange-tip (Colotis aurora), Sahyadri Yellowjack Sailer (Lasippa viraja kanara), Lankan Plum Judy (Abisara echerius prunosa), Plain Banded Awl (Hasora vitta indica), Montane Hedge Hopper (Baracus subditus), Sahyadri Small Palm Bob (Suastus minuta bipunctus), and Indian Dart (Potanthus pseudomaesa). Other notable observations included the Malabar Banded Peacock (Papilio buddha), Kerala’s state butterfly, and Western Ghats endemics such as Malabar Tree-Nymph (Idea malabarica), Nilgiri Tiger (Parantica nilgiriensis), and Travancore Evening Brown (Parantirrhoea marshalli), along with several other range-restricted species.
The odonate survey documented 71 species over the 4-day period, with two new additions, increasing PTR’s checklist to 108 species. The new records were the Sahyadri Torrent-Hawk (Macromia bellicosa) and Coorg Torrent-Hawk (Macromia ellisoni). Several endemic odonates were also observed, including Laidlaw’s Horntail (Burmagomphus laidlawi) and the Travancore Bambootail (Esme mudiensis), highlighting the reserve’s stream and wetland diversity.
Birdwatching teams confirmed the presence of two subspecies of resident birds: Bourdillon's Blackbird (Turdus simillimus bourdilloni) and the White-throated Ground Thrush (Geokichla citrina cyanota). The iconic Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Kerala’s state bird, was recorded from nearly all camps. Other notable sightings included the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) Grey-headed Bulbul (Brachypodius priocephals), Wynaad Laughing Thrush (Pterorhinus delesserti), Black-and-Orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa), and Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis), reflecting the intact montane bird community of PTR.
The survey teams also documented around about 40 species of ants, 15 species of herpetofauna, 6 species of cicadas, and good numbers of mammals such as Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Gaur, and Elephant. Smaller but significant mammals like the Brown Mongoose, Striped necked mongoose, Small Indian Civet, Smooth-coated Otter, Indian Porcupine, and the Black-naped Hare were also observed during the survey.
The four-day program concluded with a valedictory meeting at Kumaly on September 14, 2025, chaired by Assistant Field Director Mrs. Lakshmi. Data compilation was coordinated by Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan, Toms Augustine, and Vinayan P. Nair of TNHS, with logistical support provided by PTR staff including Mr. Alby and Mr. Ramesh.
“Periyar Tiger Reserve is a living laboratory of biodiversity. Each survey adds to our understanding of this fragile ecosystem and strengthens the case for its conservation. The new additions highlight how much remains to be discovered and protected in the Western Ghats,” said Shri. Pramod P. P., IFS, Field Director of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
“This collaborative survey demonstrates the value of partnerships between scientists, naturalists, and forest managers”, said Shri. P. U. Saju IFS, Deputy Director, Periyar East Division.
‘The involvement of experts from multiple taxa ensures a holistic view of the ecosystem and builds a stronger foundation for biodiversity conservation,” added Assistant Field Director Smt. Lakshmi R.
“Surveys of this kind are vital for uncovering the hidden diversity of our forests,” said Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan, Research Associate of TNHS. “The new records from Periyar highlight how much is yet to be discovered even in well-protected landscapes, and they emphasize the need for continued monitoring, research, and conservation action in the Western Ghats.”
Founded in 2010, the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS) is a volunteer-driven NGO based in Thiruvananthapuram, working on research, documentation, and outreach in biodiversity conservation. TNHS has pioneered several community-based faunal surveys across Kerala and maintains a strong focus on the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. In addition to TNHS, the survey was attended by NGO’s like STEAR, BBC, BSB, BSS, Green Cap, Green Roots, MNHS, SEEK, ANHS, Aranyakam Nature Foundation, Care Earth Trust, Chiragu Nature Club, Dubai Natural History Group, ENF, Green Cap Nature Club, Green People, Green Roots Nature Conservation Forum, NEST – Nature Education & Scientific Trust Nidus (wildlife/environmental group), Pondicherry Science Forum, Tree Club, and institutes like Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Central Marine Fisheries Research Centre (CMFRC), College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Wayanad, and Annamalai University.
The logistical support from the Kerala forest deparment side was managed by Shri. Sandeep S., Deputy Director, Periyar West Division, Smt. Lakshmi R, Assistant Field Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Shri. Sanjayan M. P., Technical Assistant to Field Director, Kottayam, Smt. Reney R Pillai, Deputy Director, Wildlife Education, Kottayam, Shri. Siby K.E, Range Forest Officer, Thekkady Range, Shri. Arun K Nair, Range Forest Officer, Vallakkadavu Range, Shri. P.V Veji, Range Forest Officer, Periyar Range, Shri. Benny D, Range Forest Officer, Azhutha Range, Shri. Mukesh M., Range Forest Officer, Pampa Range, Shri. Libin John, Range Forest Officer, Research Range, Smt. Priya T Joseph, Range Forest Officer, Flying Squad Range, Shri. Sooraj Bhaskar B. S., Range Forest Officer, Ecodevelopment Range, Shri. Alby J Mattathil, Conservation Biologist, Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation, Shri. Ramesh Babu M, Conservation Biologist, Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation, and Shri. S. Veeramani, GIS Specialist, Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation.

18/09/2025

Fantastic opportunity to sharpen your paper writing skills.

27/08/2025

A Dragonfly in the Mist: Reconfirming Crocothemis erythraea in the Western Ghats!

In the shadowy, rain-drenched forests of the southern Western Ghats, a dragonfly once lost to Indian science revealed itself — not in haste, but with stubborn elusiveness. This is the story of Crocothemis erythraea, a temperate species that re-emerged from the montane wilderness, decades after being overlooked, misidentified, or simply dismissed. And it is equally the story of patience, persistence, and passion — for nothing comes easy in field taxonomy.
It all began in 2018.
While on the annual faunal survey in the misty high ranges of Munnar, Kalesh Sadasivan, Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), and by Late. Dr. Francy Kakkassery, encountered a crimson dragonfly perched beside a cold-water check dam. Its behavior was unlike anything typical for its kind — wary, elusive, darting into the canopy at the slightest disturbance. Intrigued, they made a note. It looked a bit like Crocothemis servilia, the common Scarlet Marsh Hawk that graces every Indian paddy field. But something didn’t add up on detailed analysis of the close-up images of a dead specimen they had from Munnar. Later that week, a photograph taken at the base camp of Anamudi Shola National Park, surfaced. It showed what appeared to be the same enigmatic dragonfly, silhouetted against mossy highland pond, confirming it wasn't a one-off encounter. The intrigue grew. Was this just a color morph? A southern population of a known species? Or something entirely new?
Between 2019 and 2023, further sightings from Vagamon, Rajakumari, and Pampadum Shola bolstered the evidence. But complications remained. Several of the male specimens showed minor differences from the classical descriptions of C. erythraea from Europe. The hamular hooks — tiny but diagnostic structures in dragonfly ge***alia — didn't always match the textbook. The subapical tooth on the hamule of the male, considered a hallmark of C. erythraea, was inconsistently present. Could this be a new species, endemic to the Western Ghats?
Science, however, is slow, methodical — and humbling.
Repeated field visits were organized. This was no easy feat. These were not accessible tourist trails but remote forest camps in the Anamalai hills, some rising above 2000 meters. The team braved wet boots, mist-choked mornings, and leech-infested jungle floors. Over multiple expeditions, often in freezing drizzle, few more specimens were painstakingly collected. Then came an unexpected twist — the discovery of a gynandromorph specimen at Parambikulam. It was a dragonfly that bore both male and female traits, a rare developmental anomaly that both puzzled and inspired the team to dig deeper. Nature, it seemed, was guarding her secrets well.
By 2024, enough material was finally in hand for rigorous analysis. The field specimens were studied under microscopes, measured, drawn, and compared against Fraser’s 1936 descriptions, European guides, and regional data. Simultaneously, the team extracted DNA from the leg tissues and sent them for sequencing. The results were clear and, in some ways, surprising. The dragonflies from Kerala’s highlands were genetically identical to those from the northwestern Himalayas. The COI barcode showed 99.5% similarity, while the ITS2 region showed nearly 99%. There was no doubt. These shy highland insects were indeed Crocothemis erythraea, a species with a Holarctic distribution stretching from Europe to East Asia — and now reaffirmed in the southern sky islands of the Western Ghats. The presence of C. erythraea in both the Himalayas and the Western Ghats suggests that this species colonized southern India during the Pleistocene Ice Age, when cooler climatic conditions allowed temperate fauna to extend their range southward. As the climate warmed, these populations became stranded in montane refugia — like the Sholas and grasslands of Munnar and Parambikulam — where they survived in isolation.
What makes this rediscovery significant isn’t just the species’ range extension — it’s the context. C. erythraea had been overlooked for decades in southern India, often misidentified by fellow workers as its tropical counterpart, C. servilia. The latter is bolder, common, and omnipresent in the lowlands. But C. erythraea is a ghost of the hills — rare, skittish, and intolerant of human proximity. In contrast, C. servilia practically begs for attention. It perches on sticks, guards puddles, and returns to the same spot even after being disturbed. This difference, combined with the consistent altitudinal separation — C. servilia below 600 m, C. erythraea above 550 m — strengthened the team’s hypothesis.
But it wasn’t just about dragonflies.
This was a story of how biodiversity, especially in under-surveyed ecosystems like the Western Ghats, often hides in plain sight. A few missing names in a checklist may seem trivial, but they have ripple effects — on conservation planning, environmental assessments, and our understanding of evolutionary processes. We almost missed this species in Kerala’s checklists due to unjustified exclusion by some local odonatologists. Odonatology in India still relies heavily on historical data. Without modern, integrative approaches, we risk overlooking the very species we aim to protect. Indeed, C. erythraea had been omitted from several recent state-level compilations. Its reconfirmation, backed by both DNA and morphology, serves as a correction — and a call to action. Future species discovery must ideally embrace field biology, taxonomy, molecular genetics, and biogeography.
For the team, it was a journey that began with a single observation in the field and culminated in a multi-year, multidisciplinary effort. It tested our patience, but field taxonomy always does. The jungle teaches you humility. And in those cold, mist-wrapped Shola forests, that lesson was delivered with wings of scarlet.

Taxonomic notes on Crocothemis erythraea (Brullé, 1832) (Odonata: Libellulidae) from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India.
Kalesh Sadasivan, Abraham Samuel, Baiju Kochunarayan, Muhamed Jafer Palot, & Vinayan P Nair
International Journal of Odonatology, Volume 28, Pages 101-111, 2025

Abstract

The genus Crocothemis Brauer, 1868 (Odonata: Libellulidae) has two species distributed in the Indian region: Crocothemis erythraea (Brullé, 1832) and C. servilia (Drury, 1773). Crocothemis servilia is a common species in the lowlands of southern India, whereas C. erythraea appears to be a rare species restricted to the higher elevations of the southern Western Ghats. The differentiation of these closely similar species is somewhat problematic in the field, with some authors stating that only C. servilia is present in southern India. We provide taxonomic characteristics that are useful for diagnosing these altitudinally separated species based on their male ge***alia. Molecular analysis based on the mitochondrial COI gene recovered high-elevation samples from the Western Ghats within the C. erythraea clade. Furthermore, samples from the lower elevations of the Himalayas and Western Ghats were retrieved within the C. servilia clade, confirming the presence of both species in the Western Ghats. Phylogenetic analysis of C. erythraea populations from the Western Ghats and Himalayas revealed high genetic similarity, with 99.5% identity in COI and ~98.95% identity in ITS2 sequences. This confirms that the taxon represented in the montane regions of the Western Ghats is C. erythraea, whereas the lowland taxon is C. servilia. Important morphological features for comparison of mature insects, field behavior, and the updated distribution of the two species in India are also discussed. The isolation of C. erythraea in the subtropical and temperate montane forests of the Southern Western Ghats, despite its phylogenetic similarity to Himalayan populations, suggests that a relict distribution was likely shaped during the Pleistocene glaciations.

Keywords: Anisoptera, Crocothemis servilia, COI, cryptic species, dragonfly, Ice Age, ITS2, Kerala, Pleistocene, taxonomy

Issue section: Original Article
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18/08/2025

Faunal Survey adds 9 more species to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Checklists
Kothamangalam, August 17: A comprehensive three-day faunal survey at the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala’s first bird sanctuary, has added 9 new species records to its biodiversity checklist, reaffirming the sanctuary’s status as one of the richest ecological landscapes of the Western Ghats. The survey was jointly organized by the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), Thiruvananthapuram, and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department.
The programme was inaugurated by Sri G Jayachandran Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wildlife Division, who lauded the collaborative effort between scientists and field staff. The meeting was attended by Around 30 subject experts from various NGOs like STEAR Nilambur, BSB Trichur, Green Cap Trichur, Chiragu Kannur, and Kerala University, assisted by an equal number of forest staff, were deployed across six survey camps, covering all major habitats and elevations of the sanctuary. In his methodological briefing, Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan, Research Associate, TNHS, emphasized the importance of a composite faunal survey that included butterflies, odonates, birds, ants, crabs, cicadas, moths, amphibians, and fishes. “By documenting across taxa, we move closer to a true picture of ecosystem health,” he noted.
A total of 113 butterfly species were recorded, with four new additions: Extra Lascar, Yellow Jack Sailor, Yellow-breasted Flat, and White-bar Bushbrown. Frequent sightings of the Buddha Peacock, Kerala’s State Butterfly, included egg-laying behavior on Zanthoxylum. Other highlights were the Malabar Rose, Malabar Raven, Blue Oakleaf, Southern Birdwing, Southern Spotted Ace, and Kanara Swift.
Thattekkad odonate checklist rose to 88 species with five new additions: Wayanad Bowtail (Macrogomphus wayanadicus), Spotted Torrent-Hawk (Epophthalmia frontalis), Travancore Dagger-Head (Idionyx travancorensis), Malabar Sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum), and Malabar Bambootail (Melanoneura bilineata). Large swarms of Common Picture Wing and fraseri and Wandering Glider were observed, along with endemics such as Euphaea fraseri, Caconeura risi and recently described Lyriothemis abrahami.
The survey teams documented 104 bird species, including raptors like the Lesser Fish Eagle, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Crested Goshawk, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, and forest specialists such as the Blue-eared Kingfisher, Malabar Trogon, and endemic Malabar Parakeet. Other findings included herds of elephants, Scaly Anteater and Gaur, sightings of the King Cobra, 8 species of fish, 30 species of ants, 2 freshwater crabs, 22 species moths, and 5 amphibians. This multi-taxa approach highlighted the sanctuary’s ecological complexity.
Thattekkad, declared a bird sanctuary in 1983 and spanning just 25 sq km, continues to punch above its size in biodiversity value.
The survey’s findings not only add to the scientific database but also provide vital inputs for conservation planning. Periodic documentation helps track ecosystem changes, assess population trends of threatened species, and strengthen the sanctuary’s reputation as a global destination for nature enthusiasts.
The survey concluded with a plenary at Thattekad, chaired by CT Ouseph, Assistant Wildlife Warden, Thattaekkad Bird Sanctuary, where all data was compiled, verified, and discussed. Dr Kalesh Sadasivan, Toms Augustine and Vinayan P Nair from TNHS led the data compilation with help from Anila VM, Pradeep K and PA Nisha, Wildlife Assistant, Idukki. Officials and researchers resolved to integrate the findings into the official checklist and continue similar efforts in the future. Organizers expressed hope that the model of multi-disciplinary collaboration demonstrated here could be replicated across Kerala’s protected areas. With pressures from climate change, habitat loss, and human activity mounting, such initiatives are critical to preserving the Western Ghats’ unique natural heritage. From the sight of the Southern Birdwing gliding over the canopy to the cryptic flutter of the Blue Oakleaf in the understorey, Thattekad continues to offer discoveries both familiar and new. The addition of 9 species records during this short survey despite the heavy rains highlights the sanctuary’s enduring vitality and its significance not just to Kerala but to biodiversity conservation worldwide.
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Travancore Nature History Society

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